FIRST SEMESTER
ASSIGNMENTS
Relevant ONLY to students who are
registered for the FIRST semester.
(January – June)
ASSIGNMENT 02
(Written Assignment)
ESSAY: POETRY
Due date: 20 March 2025 Unique number:
204299.
Lecturers:
Miss UN Ngada
Tel: (012) 444 8814
E-mail: ngadaun@unisa.ac.za
Mr D Sibuyi
Tel: (012) 429 6056
E-mail: sibuyd@unisa.ac.za
NOTE ON ASSIGNMENTS 02, 03 & 04:
These assignments count 20% of your final mark for the module. Since they form the
basis for the examination it is advised that you complete and submit all three.
You need to hand in all three assignments on the relevant due date. Please make sure
that your mark count for Assignment 02, 03 and 04 add up to 100:
Assignment 02: Assignment 03: Assignment 04: Total:
/30 /35 /35 /100
Please complete and attach the plagiarism declaration to Assignment 02, 03 and
04.
PRESCRIBED READING:
Part I: Poetic texts (found under “Lessons” on myUnisa: THL1502-25-S1).
RECOMMENDED READING:
Kennedy, X.J. & Gioia, D. 2012. Literature: an introduction to fiction, poetry,
drama and writing. London & New York: Longman.
ASSESSMENT:
Students’ answers are evaluated by taking the following aspects into consideration:
If the theoretical discussion and analysis of the chosen text are presented in a balanced
manner, i.e. students must first discuss the theoretical issues asked in the question and
then apply this theory to their chosen example.
Length of answers: the following guidelines can be kept in mind:
Approximately half a page (typed) for 5 marks,
Approximately one page (typed) for 10 marks,
Approximately one and a half page (typed) for 15 marks,
Approximately two to three pages (typed) for 20 marks.
Answers must be structured logically, and your formulations must be given clearly and
succinctly.
The language used in the assignment, e.g. is it free of grammatical and spelling errors?
Are the references correctly given? (See the Plagiarism Guide under “Additional
Resources” on myUnisa if you are unsure about referencing your resources.)
PART ONE: POETRY (SEMESTER 1)
ANSWER ALL THREE PARTS. NOTE THE CHOICES BETWEEN QUESTIONS 3 & 4.
Read the following poem and answer the questions below:
Acquainted With The Night
By Robert Lee Frost
I have been one acquainted with the night.
I have walked out in rain, and back in rain.
I have outwalked the furthest city light.
I have looked down the saddest city lane.
I have passed by the watchman on his beat
And dropped my eyes, unwilling to explain.
I have stood still and stopped the sound of feet
When far away an interrupted cry
Came over houses from another street,
But not to call me back or say good-bye;
And further still at an unearthly height,
O luminary clock against the sky
Proclaimed the time was neither wrong nor right.
I have been one acquainted with the night.
QUESTION 1: METAPHOR [10]
1 Differentiate between literal and metaphorical language and quote one metaphor
from the poem printed above. (2)
2. Which specific metaphorical construction is “I have looked down the saddest
city lane” in line 4? Mention and briefly describe the different constituent parts.(2)
3. Name the other three metaphorical constructions found in poetry and give
examples of each (the examples do not have to be from the poem printed
above). (3)
4. Identify another example of a metaphorical construction in the second stanza. (1)
5. Give an example of another figure of speech from the poem printed above that is
not a metaphor. (2)
QUESTION 2: SOUND [10]
1. What are we referring to when we refer to “the poetic use of language”? (1)
2. Why do we study sound in a poem? Explain briefly. (1)
3. What four aspects do we need to distinguish in order to study a poem as a
vehicle for communicating meaning in a poem? (2)
4. Distinguish between vertical and horizontal sound patterns and provide one
example of each from the poem printed above. (2)
5. What is the distinguishing characteristic of end rhyme? Explain with reference to
two appropriate examples from the poem printed above. (2)
6. Identify by means of the following examples different patterns of sound
repetition in the poem above (remember to underline the consonants and
vowels in question): (2)
6.1 Assonance:
6.2 Alliteartion:
.
QUESTION 3: SYNTAX [10]
1. To create poetry of quality, the poet purposely needs to apply three techniques.
Name two.
(2)
2. What is the function of syntactic deviations in poetic language? (1)
3. Identify the kind of syntactical deviation (phenomenon) that occurs in the poetic
use of language in lines 2 to 5 of the poem printed above. (4)
4. Briefly explain three other techniques, also known as syntactic deviation, which
can be used within the poetic sentence.
(3)
OR
QUESTION 4: RHYTHM AND METRE [10]
1. Explain the technical difference between rhythm and metre in poetry. (2)
2. Name six types of metrical patterning found in poetry. (2)
3. Name the metrical pattern which occurs prominently in poetry. (1)
4. Write down the signs referring to prominent and unstressed syllables in a poem. (1)
5. Explain in your own words why you think that rhythm and metre are core
components of “Acquainted With The Night” by Robert Frost. (2)
6. Scan the following stanza and write down the metrical pattern: (2)
“Proclaimed the time was neither wrong nor right.
I have been one acquainted with the night.”
[Total: 30]
DECLARATION
Name: …………………………………………………….…………………………………………
Student number: …………………………………
Course Code: ……………………
Assignment Number: …………………..
I declare that this assignment is my own, original work. Where I have used source material,
it is acknowledged in accordance with departmental requirements. I understand what
plagiarism is and I am aware of the departmental policy on it.
Signature: ………………………………
Date: …………………………………….
CHECKLIST Yes No
1 I acknowledged all source material (study guide, tutorial letter, internet,
other sources) used in my assignment.
2 Irrespective of whether I participated in a study group or not, the wording
of the assignment is my own.
3 I indicated all sources used in my assignment by placing the quote in
inverted commas and/or by providing the reference according to the
Harvard method.
4 At the end of my assignment, there is a bibliography reflecting all the
consulted sources.
MAKE A COPY OF THIS PAGE AND ATTACH IT TO ASSIGNMENT 02, 03 & 04
